Red Circle, White Field: Unraveling the History of Japan's National Flag

The Japanese flag, commonly known as the Hinomaru, with its distinctive red circle on a white background, has profound historical and cultural significance that dates back to ancient times. This pop history explores the flag's origins, evolution through significant historical periods, and contemporary status.

The Hinomaru's connection to Koshinto, the ancient form of Shinto religion, highlights its deep roots in Japanese tradition. Koshinto venerates nature and its elements, with the sun being a predominant deity, symbolizing life and divinity. This reverence is mirrored in the Hinomaru, where the sun is central.

The first documented use of a flag resembling the Hinomaru dates back to 645 during the Taika era, a period marked by significant reforms that centralized and strengthened the state. This early version of the rising sun flag symbolized the authority and the unity of the state under the emperor.

As noted in the "Shoku Nihongi" (Chronicles of Japan), a flag featuring a sun design was used during a New Year's Day celebration in 797. This instance underlines the flag's ceremonial importance in imperial rituals and its role in symbolizing renewal and purity.

The depiction of the sun as a red circle is unique and can be traced back to ancient influences, such as Han Dynasty silk paintings, where the sun was similarly portrayed. This rare depiction ties into esoteric Buddhist iconography introduced in the Heian period, further embedding the sun's red imagery within Japanese cultural and religious practices.

The color scheme of the Hinomaru—red and white—also has historical significance, dating back to the Genpei War. The war's warring clans, the Taira (red) and Minamoto (white), influenced the flag's design, integrating their colors to symbolize unity and balance after the conflict.

During the Edo period, the connection between the Hinomaru and national identity became more pronounced. The 1673 Jorikome Kaiso Reijo edict mandated that ships carrying the rice tax display a distinct flag—a white field with a large vermilion circle—to differentiate them from merchant ships. This practice helped cement the flag's association with official and state activities.

The official recognition of the Hinomaru occurred in 1854 when Abe Masahiro issued a statement defining it as the national flag to avoid confusion with foreign ships. This directive was part of Japan's efforts to establish a distinct national identity as it opened to the global community.

The Hinomaru continued to evolve as a symbol through the Meiji Restoration and into the 20th century. Its use during the Boshin War and by the Imperial Army in World War II added layers of military and nationalist connotations, which have sparked controversies, particularly during the post-war occupation by Allied forces.

The flag was banned by the occupying authorities from 1945 until 1949 when its use was reinstated. Since then, debates have persisted, especially regarding its compulsory hoisting in schools, reflecting ongoing tensions between national pride and historical grievances. In some nations, particularly those in Asia that were occupied by Japan during World War 2, the flag, particularly the "rays of the sun" variant that was used by the Imperial Japanese Army, is seen as a symbol equivalent to the Hakenkreuz used by the Nazis.

Despite controversies, the Hinomaru was officially designated the national flag by the National Flag and Anthem Law. Surveys conducted in the 1970s and 1990s revealed strong public support for the flag, signifying its acceptance as a symbol of national unity and identity. Today, while there are no laws against the desecration of the Japanese flag, it remains a potent symbol of the nation's history, culture, and ongoing debates about its past and future roles.